Introduction to OVC

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was created by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) to improve our nation's response to crime victims. OVC is one of five bureaus and five program offices within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and works closely with these components to support programs that benefit crime victims.

OVC performs many tasks, including administering formula grant programs that support a network of victim assistance and compensation services; managing discretionary grants for training, technical assistance, and demonstration programs to benefit crime victims; supporting a national information clearinghouse and a national training and technical assistance center; developing programs and initiatives to assist victims of terrorism, mass violence, and transnational crimes; and creating direct service programs for victims of Federal crimes.

All of these programs are funded by the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which is derived not from tax dollars, but rather from the fines, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures collected from Federal criminal offenders. Of the funds available for distribution every year, the majority is distributed directly to the states in formula grants to help fund critical victim assistance services and crime victim compensation program efforts. The remaining discretionary funds support diverse training and technical assistance efforts, services for Federal crime victims, demonstration programs, and continuation efforts for multiyear projects. In addition, under the Children's Justice and Assistance Act, $3 million is allocated for programs to improve the handling of child abuse cases in Indian Country.

Competitive Discretionary Grants for Fiscal Year 2002

This application kit describes all of OVC's competitive discretionary grant programs for fiscal year (FY) 2002 and contains the application materials and directions necessary to apply for these grants. This kit does not include descriptions of continuation projects and other activities supported through other funding mechanisms such as contracts. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Fiscal Year 2002 Program Plan (OVC Program Plan) will include a summary description of OVC discretionary activities for FY 2002. After it is finalized, it will be available on the OVC Discretionary Toolbox homepage.

Application Process

This application kit provides the necessary information and guidance for preparing and submitting an application for an OVC discretionary program award. Section I. of the application kit contains solicitations for competitive programs. Section II. presents general application requirements and includes the required application forms. To request additional application kits, please call the OVC Resource Center at 1-800-627-6872, or call the OVC Reply Line at 202-616-1926, or write to the Office for Victims of Crime, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20531-0001.